New treatments for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem worldwide. It is characterised by chronic inflammation in the lungs that leads to progressive chronic airflow obstruction. The main strategy for treating COPD is control of the chronic inflammation. However, current anti-inflammatory treatments fail to prevent disease progression. New long-acting bronchodilators and their combinations are currently under development. Research has been focused on identifying the key inflammatory regulators. CXCR2 antagonists inhibit neutrophilic inflammation; inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), Janus kinases and IL-6 have also shown some promising effects. There is an emerging need for identification of key modulators of the oxidative stress-regulated corticosteroid function aiming the development of monotherapies which will resolve any side effects issues currently faced.